The Ovid-Elsie boys soccer team has their eyes set on something much bigger than what they have already accomplished.

The Marauders finished their regular season undefeated, owning a share of the TVC-West title for the second year in a row. The only blemishes came against TVC-West rival Alma, both matches ended in a tie. The Marauders finished the regular season with a 14-0-2 record.

The team now has a place in the Ovid-Elsie record books and is trying to keep the special run going when the state tournament begins Monday with a district opener against Corunna.

“If we can keep the momentum that we have made in the regular season I see no reason why we can’t make it to the (district) final,” Ovid-Elsie senior captain Joey McGroarty said. “I expect our team to do nothing less than we have already done.”

The Marauders are an experienced group, starting six seniors and five juniors who were a part of last season’s unexpected success. Ovid-Elsie finished 2016 with an undefeated record in the TVC West, only one year removed from winning only five games in 2015.

‘Our biggest asset is when we bring in kids off of the bench we are not taking a step back,” Ovid-Elsie coach Chris Parker said. “We are just as good, if not better in certain spots.”

The players on this team all credit success to the outstanding level of team chemistry. The Marauders have had 18 of their 23 athletes score this season.

“I think our team chemistry is the reason why we are undefeated,” senior captain Brandon Swender said. “You got to have faith in each of your teammates and know they will do what they are supposed to do.”

The Marauders have only allowed seven goals the entire season, a school record. Goaltender and senior captain Mason Rulison also broke the school record with 12 shutouts - the most in the Lansing area this season. The team is also on pace to break the school record for goals for in a season, scoring 78.

“It means a lot to me to be a part of something that will lead to more,” Rulison said. “I feel like seeing our team have success will make young kids want to be a part of success in the future and keep the tradition of our strong program alive.”

Parker, in his sixth season leading the Ovid-Elsie program , said the recent successes have led to more participants in their program. The Marauders fielded their first ever junior varsity team this year and have high expectations for the future.